Hidden Witness 5: Marco's Story: Mafia Romance Read online

  HIDDEN WITNESS 5: MARCO’S STORY

  POSEY PARKS

  License Statement

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit your favorite ebook retailer to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  COPYRIGHT

  Copyright © 2019 by Posey Parks

  Published by Posey Parks Publishing

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  Thank you for all your wonderful support.

  THE FIVE FAMILIES

  The Magarelli’s of Newark.

  The Esposito family in Jersey City.

  The Romano’s in Hackensack.

  The Bertozzi’s out of Hoboken. (Ended)

  The Pitucco’s out of Elizabeth.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Chapter TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER ONE

  MARCO

  Portland, Oregon my least favorite place. It rained too fucking much. Not sure how Dillon lived here for fourteen years. My father said there was a black-tie charity event happening while I was in town. He said I should attend and donate a shitload of money. He said it was good publicity. So here I was leaning on one elbow against the bar. I scanned the room over my glass of vodka. There were a lot of heavy hitters in the room. Whoever was running this event was well connected.

  The band played a light ballad. I needed a change of scenery. Dominic said I spent too much time at the strip club. I smiled taking another sip. Turning to the bartender, I raised my empty glass. “Another one, please, John.” Any time I knew I’d be at the bar for a long period of time it was important I knew the bartender's name. I ran my large tatted hand down my white tuxedo jacket.

  “Whoa, how many drinks have you had tonight?” I heard to my right.

  I peeked at the beautiful dark chocolate woman. Her smile brightened.

  I glanced upward, reflecting on her question. “Three.” I peered at her. “Do you think that’s too many for a man my size?”

  Her pretty dark eyes roamed my tall frame. “I don’t know. How many drinks does it take to lay you out? You know, shitfaced drunk?”

  I laughed, sipping my refreshed drink. “I’d say twelve.”

  Her pouty lips fell open. Then she laughed. “You’re pulling my leg?”

  “Nope. And I don’t drink and drive either. So, if I had too many drinks, I’d call a cab. What about you? How many drinks until you’re bursting with laughter?” I winked.

  “Not sharing.”

  I smiled. “You don’t have to.” I stretched my hand out toward her. “Marco Esposito.”

  I shook her soft hand. We stared at each other longer than we should have. The burgundy form fitting dress hugged her curves, fanning over her feet.

  “Emoni Morgan. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is mine. I don’t want you to worry about me drinking too much. I am an excellent pacer.”

  She smiled.

  “What are you drinking tonight? No let me guess. Red wine.”

  Her high cheekbones lit up. “Most times. But I am drinking champagne tonight.”

  I chuckled. “Ok.”

  “Calling all bachelors to the stage. We’d like to raffle off six wonderful men. May I have volunteers to the stage?” Everyone’s perplexed gaze fell over those around them and low chatter followed.

  “It’s for charity. You’d socialize with the person who won your companionship tonight. Please gentleman, join me on stage.”

  Emoni tossed her long black hair over her shoulder.

  I turned and faced the bartender. “Another vodka...”

  “Marco, do you plan to participate?”

  “No.”

  “It’s for a great cause,” she smiled.

  “I already donated a hefty check tonight. I think myself and the charity are even.” I smirked.

  “Would you volunteer for me?” She batted those long eyelashes. “I think if you were the first man on stage, you’d spark hefty bids.”

  I sighed. “The only way I am walking onto that stage is if you bid on me.”

  “What? No.” She waved her hands.

  I sat the empty glass on the bar. “All you have to do is bid until you win. When the auctioneer counts down, you yell out the winning bid. I’ll cover the cost of the bid.”

  She placed her hand on her chest. “I don’t know. Are you sure?”

  I held her gaze. “Very. And that is the only way I’ll participate.”

  Her cute face twisted. “Ok.”

  I walked down the aisle. Emoni was right. The second I stepped on stage women stood to their feet cheering. Five other men fell in line beside me. The bids poured in. Emoni waited. Two women were in a bidding war over me for one hundred K.

  “One hundred five thousand dollars.” The redhead lady stated smiling, walking toward the stage like she’d won.

  “Going once. Going twice.”

  “One hundred fifty thousand dollars,” Emoni shouted.

  The redhead lady turned, scowling at Emoni.

  “Going once. Going twice. Sold to the lady at the bar.”

  I didn’t want to grin ear to ear and make it obvious. But I was excited she won.

  Strolling toward the bar, I raised my hand, gaining the bartender’s attention. He placed a fresh vodka on the rocks before me.

  “Great job, Emoni.”

  She smiled wide. “I learned from the best.”

  I slipped my check book out of my tuxedo jacket and wrote a check to the charity. I placed the check on the bar. She peeked at it. The auctioneer appeared, collecting the monetary gift from Emoni.

  “I’m all yours. What do you have planned for me?” A crooked smile raised at the corner of my lips as I straightened the black bow tie.

  “Well Mr. Esposito, from New Jersey.”

  “Call me Marco, please.”

  “Ok. Marco, I have work to do. After all this is my charity.” She flashed a sexy, sneaky smile.

  Fuck she was hotter by the second. “Impressive. So, was that your plan all along to get me up on that stage?”

  “No. My assistant Valerie thought the auction would raise more money. She was right. But I was seriously concerned you’d drink too much.”

  “Thoughtful. Before you work over the rest of these rich bastards have a glass of champagne with me.”

  She sighed. “Ok. Since I have you for the night, you can join me at my table. Dinner will be served soon. It will make me feel better knowing you aren’t drinking on an empty stomach.”

  I’d eaten dinner before I arrived, of course. She thought I was an amateur drinker. But I loved how concerned she was already. “Sure.”

  Chatter filled the room and guests flooded the bar on either side of us.

  Raising my hand, I smiled at her, before turning to the bartender. “John, open a bottle of your best champagne, pour us each a glass, and I’ll take the bottle with me to the table.”

  “Of course, Mr. Esposito.”

  She scanned the bar. “Why is he serving you before anyone else?”

  I snickered. “Sweetheart, you know money talks...and-”

  “Yeah, I know the rest.”

  John returned filling my request. I placed two one hundred-dollar bills on the bar.

  Emoni and I picked up our glasses.

  “I’d like to propose a toast.”

  Her face brightened.

  “Here’s to making a ton of money for your charity.”

  We clinked glasses.

  “Thank you.”

  Our gazes locked as we sipped the champagne.

  “Warning. The people at my table are nosy. They will pry. Flooding you with questions.”

  “I’m not worried.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  MARCO

  I followed her across the well-lit ballroom, then placed the champagne bottle and glass on the table.

  “How could you enter the raffle!” The red head woman spat, strutting toward Emoni.

  Her hand landed on her hip. “Excuse me,” Emoni huffed.

  Before shit blew out of proportion I needed to interject.

  Slipping
my hand across her velvety skin, I gripped Emoni’s waist. I peered into the seething woman’s eyes.

  “Emoni’s my date. It was only fair we continued to spend time together this evening.”

  I flashed a wide smile, grabbing the woman’s hand bringing it to my lips. “I hope you can understand.”

  Her free hand landed on her chest and her face flushed.

  “Yeah, yes. I understand.” She blinked.

  “Enjoy your evening,” I stated.

  The lady turned on her heels.

  “Thank you, Marco.”

  “No problem. Nothing I hate more than a privileged woman. I’ll take your glass. I’ll be here when you return.”

  “Ok.”

  The second I sat, two women sitting across from me smiled.

  “You were a big hit tonight,” the blonde-haired lady smirked, nudging the dark-haired woman’s arm.

  “I suppose.” I played it down. There was no need to come off cocky.

  “Women always get up in arms over you often, huh?” the blonde lady asked.

  I grinned. It was that obvious. My looks always made women a little batty. Then add the dick to the equation and it was a new level of crazy.

  “No,” I lied.

  “My name is Leann, and this is my friend Carol.” The older blonde woman stated, stretching her hand across the table.

  I shook their hands. “Marco Esposito.”

  “Where are you from New York or New Jersey?” Carol asked. The wrinkles over her cheeks defined as she smiled.

  “New Jersey.”

  “Your accent is so pronounced I knew you were from the east coast. Do you live here?”

  “No, I live in Jersey. I flew in to give my donation in person.”

  “Nice. What do you do for a living?”

  Mob boss. “I’m a developer I enjoy buying land and building huge developments.” Developer had a nice ring to it.

  “Are you building in Portland?” Carol asked.

  “Not sure yet.” Another lie.

  Scanning the room, I met Emoni’s gaze. She walked toward the table and sat beside me. She was right the women were too fucking nosy.

  “Breaking any charity records?”

  She laughed. “I’m not sure?” Her long dark hair cascaded over her bare left shoulder.

  “How long have you been in the charity business?”

  “A few years now. I assisted my best friend with the business. She moved away and now I manage the business alone.”

  The waiters placed our meals before us.

  “I ate a hearty dinner before I arrived, but I’ll eat another to talk to you.”

  She batted those long lashes again and smiled. “That’s sweet. Well, I hadn’t eaten all day. I’m famished.” She bit the bacon wrapped asparagus.

  Her eyes rolled in the back of her head. My tongue slid across my lips. I knew something else that could make her eyes roll like that. My fucking cock. I tried reading her body language. She never touched me on purpose. Hadn’t offered her number. I returned my attention to my plate and listened to the speaker thank all those who gave tons of money. I pondered on Emoni. She met my gaze a few times. Enough to tell me she was attracted to me, but that was all. She knew I was single because I let her auction me off. Was she single or in a relationship? Fuck, what difference did it make? I lived on the other side of the country. I’d never see her again after tonight.

  I made up my mind. She was accompanying me to my hotel. I’d peel that burgundy dress off slow, fist her long locks, and take her from behind. Probably shouldn’t have thought about fucking her at this moment. My cock strained against my black slacks. I pulled my chair closer to the table. A good distraction would work. I peeked around the room. Leann met my gaze. Her tongue ran over her lips. Yup, that was it. That move was enough to defrost my cock.

  AN HOUR AND A HALF later, Emoni and I sat in the empty ballroom. Her cute bare feet rested in my lap. It was my idea. She needed to take a load off. Emoni had walked the floor most of the night. I sipped vodka, and she finally drank a few glasses of red wine. Her head dropped back in laughter. She loved listening to my construction stories.

  “Then what did you do?”

  “Everyone knows you don’t yell at the boss. Especially when you are in the wrong. I take that back...” Raising my finger in the air, I smiled. “You never yell at the boss.”

  We laughed.

  “I sent him to the top level of the building. The rain poured from the sky. I told him he needed to squeegee the water from the concrete floor. He asked what if it doesn’t stop raining until the next day?”

  She stared at me with drunken, giddy eyes. “What did you say?”

  “I said well I guess that’s when you stop.”

  She bent over laughing.

  I could go on telling those stories all night. She thought they were fun and innocent. They weren’t. Later, that night I caught the asshole taking a break. I blew his brains out all over the floor he’d just squeegeed. I had never allowed disrespect. Emoni had no idea a monster sat in her midst. Yup, death sat before her. I ordered the death of others every day. It was good I was returning home tomorrow. She appeared to have her head on straight. There would be no dragging her into my shit storm of a life.

  Dom found a woman who was willing to follow him into the darkness. Every woman couldn’t handle this life. Shit, my best friend’s wife who was also now my good friend could barely handle this life. She was made the Donna of the Magarelli’s. Sierra held lives in her hands every day.

  The daughter of Nikalia Pitucco, Natalia was single. Her father wanted her to marry a made man. Not sure I could though. I saw her more as a little sister. But her eyes lingered on me longer than they should. I wasn’t desperate for a wife. Yet I was tired of bedding down meaningless women. A boss should have a wife. Oh, how could I forget, I loved black women. Their honey brown to dark chocolate skin was my addiction. Their natural curves. Shit the way my hand cupped their asses. Not to mention that sassy attitude. A black woman wouldn’t be so quick to stand for a man’s bullshit. She’d put you in your place. I had an abundance of women. As long as there was an understanding that we weren’t in a relationship we were ok. I tried a black woman once in high school. Let’s just say it was the last time I fucked over a black woman. She was a different level of crazy. I’ll share that story another time. Probably another reason why I wasn’t attracted to Natalia. She had olive complected skin like mine and she was Italian.

  I grabbed Emoni out of her chair and slid her into my lap. My fingers grazed her cheek and our eyes locked. Her breath quickened.

  “You are fucking beautiful.” Her eyes marveled my face.

  And her fingers slipped across my tattooed neck.

  “I know you’ve heard it several times before. You’re a fucking twenty. Fuck a ten.” I bit her lower lip, dragging it into my mouth, then sucking her top lip.

  “Damn, you taste sweet.” I knew I was in trouble. I had a weakness for certain things sweet. Sweet tasting lips usually meant a sweet tasting pussy. I didn’t eat pussy often. Shit, I couldn’t because I fucked strippers mainly. I hooked up with a chick from college every now and then. She was the second woman I ate like a fucking plum. If I had more time with this little beauty, I’d definitely spread her legs and let her cream in my mouth. I’d love to watch Emoni come undone.

  Marco, she’s nothing more than a fling. Fuck her and send her on her way. Our lips tangled, then I slid my tongue between her lips. The sweetest, hungriest moan released from her throat. It was time to leave.

  I pulled back, cupping her face. “Are you done here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Time to go.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  MARCO

  Gastone one of my bodyguards, hopped out of the Bentley the second we walked out of the door. I scanned the deserted streets, then nodded at my other bodyguards sitting in the black Suburban behind the Bentley. He opened the door, and we climbed inside.

  Wrapping my arm around her waist, I captured her lips again.

  “Mr. Esposito, where to?” Gastone asked, jumping behind the steering wheel.

  “My hotel.”

  I rolled up the partition and feasted on her neck. Emoni’s fingers slid across my chest.